Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Guide

What OSHC is

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance designed for international students in Australia. It helps cover the cost of certain medical and hospital care while you study.

This page explains OSHC in general terms. The rules around OSHC, what policies must cover, and which providers are approved are set by the Australian Government, and product details are set by each provider — so confirm the current requirements and policy details on the official sources before you decide. This is general information only and is not immigration or insurance advice.

Why it is mandatory for the subclass 500 visa

Holding adequate health insurance is a condition of the Student visa (subclass 500). In practice, this generally means maintaining OSHC for the entire duration of your visa — typically arranged before your visa is granted and kept current for as long as you hold the visa.

Letting your cover lapse can put you in breach of your visa conditions. Always confirm the current health-cover requirement on the official Department of Home Affairs website.

• Adequate health cover is a subclass 500 visa condition
• OSHC generally must be maintained for the whole visa duration
• Usually arranged before the visa is granted

What OSHC broadly covers

OSHC is intended to provide a baseline of health cover for international students, such as certain doctor visits, hospital treatment, ambulance cover, and some prescription medicines, with limits and exclusions that vary by policy.

It is not the same as comprehensive private health insurance, and there are things it may not cover. Read the policy documents and the official guidance carefully so you understand inclusions, limits, and waiting periods before you rely on it.

• Some out-of-hospital medical services (e.g. doctor visits)
• In-hospital treatment and ambulance cover (per policy)
• Some prescription medicines (with limits)
• Exclusions, limits, and waiting periods vary by policy

Choosing an approved provider

OSHC can only be provided by health insurers approved to offer it. The Australian Government publishes information on OSHC and the approved providers; many students arrange cover through their education provider or directly with an insurer.

This guide does not endorse any specific provider or policy. Compare approved providers and policies on their merits, and verify that any policy meets the official OSHC requirements before purchasing.

• Use an insurer approved to offer OSHC
• You can often arrange cover via your education provider or directly
• Compare policies on coverage, limits, and service — no single product is endorsed here

Keeping your cover valid

Because OSHC is tied to your visa duration, it is important to keep it active for the whole time you study, including renewing it if your course or visa is extended. If your circumstances change, check what you need to do to stay compliant.

Confirm the current requirements with the official Department of Home Affairs guidance and your insurer, and keep evidence of your cover with your other visa documents.